Henry David Thoreau Transcendentalism
A Lake on the Way to the Glacier Thinkers of the period of transcendentalism believed that the only way to find wisdom was to be exposed to nature. Henry David Thoreau, who was one of the major exponents of this period, spent two years on Walden Pond, reflecting and writing his major work “Walden”, but if he had the opportunity to visit Alaska, he would have spent all his life on the last frontier and also he would have wrote a vast amount of works based on it. Alaska has an abundance of breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, among them the island of Kodiak, Mount Denali or the Flattop , however; I feel that the greatest examples of that beauty are not reflected on those monumental ecosystems. They are demonstrated in the small …show more content…
Usually, when one goes to visit a beach or any other water body, it is easy to discern between what is water and what is land. This lake was different, the surface of the water seemed just as an extension of the land. It emanated its cold nature from the distance, relieving the natural heat of the summer without even having to enter on its magical waters. The most compelling aspect of that body of water was that it reflected the world just as a mirror, creating the illusion that it was possible to cross into another world just as if we lived inside a Lewis Caroll novel. Everything reflected on it was even more magnificent, the sun was brighter, the mountains were taller, the clouds were puffier and the leaves were greener. I decided to enjoy the place sitting in a stone close to the water, taking pictures and contemplating the natural spectacle. Suddenly, in my state of observation I felt that, again in the words of Neruda, my eyes flew away and merged with the stable peace of the place. It was in this state of concentration that I began to think that probably the plethora of trees that surrounded the lake were also compelled with the beauty of the lake and stood there watching and protecting it just as Heimdallr protects the gate of Asgard in the Norse
Transcendentalism: Henry Thoreau And Ralph Waldo Emerson
613 Words | 3 PagesTranscendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that occurred by the mid-1800s. Transcendentalism was a result of the American pride in an emerging culture. This philosophical beliefs, which Ralph Waldo Emerson led, portrayed all the American values of hope, freedom, and independence. Transcendentalism was an optimistic movement that encourage spirituality and inner happiness over material fortunes and financial gain. They also believed in the inner goodness of humanity.
Brave Dialectical Journal
1238 Words | 5 PagesAfter traveling in the direction the old man directed him in, Iktomi stood on the top of the hill and finally got his first glimpse of the gem pond in all of its glory. As the sun reflected off the gems, rays of all different colors sparkled on the surface of the pond. It was if a thousand rainbows had united to create the most breathtaking sight on all of the Plains. As he took it all in, Iktomi finally came to his senses and, for the first time, observed a wall of thick reeds around the pond preventing anyone or anything from coming in or out. He walked down the hill, sharpening his hunting knife as he went.
How Does Thoreau's Civil Disobedience Relate To Transcendentalism?
648 Words | 3 PagesThose who want the world to change will vocalize their opinion for it. Whether it be a politician, a dictator, or a human-rights activist, those who speak for what they wish have more of a chance to alter the world's course than those who say nothing at all. As the popular saying goes, "You have no chance of winning the lottery you didn't enter." Among these famous speakers, there is the trio of transcendentalist thinkers: Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman. While each of these three poets have a particular style, one in particular lead the path to a more free America and Earth.
Transcendentalism In Into The Wild, By John Krakauer
783 Words | 4 PagesTranscendentalism is to find your inner self and deepest intuitions in nature. Out of John Krakauer the author of Into the Wild and Christopher McCandless, who has more transcendentalist ideas? I believe Mcandless has far more transcendentalist ideas than Krakauer, due to Mcandless’s hate for society, his self-reliance, and his true connection with nature. First of all, McCandless has a hatred towards society and as a result stays away from it as much as he can, while on the other hand, Krakauer fully supports and relies on society. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance, he mentions, “Society everywhere is in a conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mity, By Henry David Thoreau
526 Words | 3 PagesDuring the Transcendentalist movement, Henry David Thoreau was a leading transcendentalist whose work focused mainly on nature and adventure. Walden, or Life in the Woods is an exceptional example of a story based on adventure. In Thoreau’s account of his life at Walden pond, he first states, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” Through this quote Thoreau explains that he was tired of the complexity of normal life and desired to go on an adventure to live simply. Additionally, Thoreau states, “I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life…,” which again reveals his motivation for new life by adventure and simplicity.
The Corruption Of Greasy Lake
247 Words | 1 PagesHowever within the story the individuals as well as the narrator see the lake as being the best place to spend their time. The story describes the lake as being, “fetid and murky, the mud banks glittering with broken glass and strewn with beer cans and the charred remains of bonfires.”
Transcendentalism In Into The Wild
463 Words | 2 PagesChris McCandless, Jon Krakauer, and Henry David Thoreau express transcendentalism. They express it by living in the wild. Both Into the Wild and Walden show similar beliefs. Both authors express beliefs of individualism, self-wisdom, and nature. Krakauer’s Into the Wild and Thoreau’s Walden expresses beliefs that respect cannot be bought, simplicity, and mind your own business.
Henry David Thoreau's Extreme Transcendentalism
407 Words | 2 PagesTo live deliberately is for a person to live to the full potential of the life they have been given. Thoreau believed to live was to discover the simplistics of life, he had moved to the woods for two years to experience his own definition of a “real life” opportunity before his death. Thoreau demonstrated his transcendentalistic ideas through many things but this will focus more on his essay Walden. “An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest.” (Thoreau)
Henry David Thoreau: Transcendentalism In Public Schools In The 19th Century
1122 Words | 5 PagesHenry David Thoreau is one of the most influential, and most brilliant people to ever walk on the face of the earth. He embodies the transcendentalist ideas that many of the most famous writers in the world share. Transcendentalism is the philosophy of looking at every person as an individual and how important and divine each soul truly is. The way that the world in the middle 1800’s, the time in which Thoreau was in his prime for writing, was that a person learned from his encounters and how that individual reacted to it. Transcendentalists believed in the spirituality of the world in order learn new things: “They rejected the widely accepted notion that man’s knowledge came primarily through the senses.
Henry David Thoreau Essay
1611 Words | 7 PagesHenry David Thoreau 1817-1862 born and raised in Concord, was a popular student in Harvard. Despite his financial and health deformities he was able to graduate from the university. By 1837 America was facing an economic depression and jobs were not easily available. Thoreau began to write poems and essays of transcendentalism to escape from the development and also to emphasize on nature. Therefore, he spent two years in Walden Pond (Schneider, 2013).
Henry David Thoreau On Slavery
959 Words | 4 PagesThoreau asserts slavery is a ¨gross¨ and immoral practice. His fear of not being divine and immortal allows him to dislike slavery. Therefore, Thoreau would support abolition as he believed owning slaves would compromise a man 's divinity, a great fear of his. Slavery also limits the spiritual growth of the enslaved individuals, thus opposing Thoreau 's belief all people should be exposed to spiritual advancements. It was also deemed frivolous by Thoreau.
Henry David Thoreau And Transcendentalism
783 Words | 4 PagesHenry David Thoreau is one of the primary promoters of the transcendentalist movement and has been inspiring people to take on the transcendentalist lifestyle ever since the mid 1800’s. Mccandless was an admirer of Henry’s philosophy but he wasn’t as fully immersed in his work and ideals as Thoreau was to his own. His intentions were not as closely aligned to the movement as Thoreau’s and the difference between these icons are clearly visible. Self reliance is one of the most significant components of the transcendentalism movement that Henry David Thoreau contributed to in his literary career. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” - (taken from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”).
Ralph Waldo Emerson's Beliefs Of Transcendentalism
1066 Words | 5 PagesTranscendentalism is the belief that man is inherently good, is an independent thinker, and goes out into nature to get in touch with himself. Generally, man has good intentions and intends no harm unto others. In addition, man does not need society to give him and develop his thoughts, as he already has them within. To help bring out these already installed beliefs, man has the desire to go out into nature to get in touch with himself and find deeper notions within. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings “Self Reliance” and “American Scholar”, he writes about how being a true individual means that one must have his own beliefs, and not copy someone else’s ideas.
Walden Transcendentalism Analysis
637 Words | 3 PagesTranscendentalism, a philosophical and social movement, demonstrated how divinity spreads through all nature and humanity. One of the main ideals of transcendentalism, living simply and independently, define as the principle. In matters of financial and interpersonal relations, independence projects as more valuable than neediness. Henry david Thoreau elaborates on these transcendentalist ideals when he travels into the woods and writes an essay.
Descriptive Essay: Description Of The Lake
766 Words | 4 PagesSmooth, oval rocks lined the bank of the secretive lake. Discarded and neglected; overlaid with spongy moss and choked by fallen, decaying leaves from the unclothed and withering trees above. As the lake swelled around the ashen boulders, icy, black water lifelessly lapped against the long, thin beams of wood holding up a rickety pier. The structure was covered in splinters and ragged, iron nails, and as it reached out into the centre of the sombre lake, it became more and more distant. Half-cut beams lined the sides of the pier, as nettle patches hissed from the shore when the water drew too near.
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